Cailee Jo Whitefield has been awarded a $6,000 distinguished member scholarship by Phi Eta Sigma, the national honor society for first-year college students.

Whitefield, a sophomore from San Antonio and the Wartburg chapter president, was one of 37 national recipients of the top PES award for undergraduates. Students with a 3.5 GPA and ranking in the top 20 percent of their class are invited to join PES after their first year at college.

Whitefield, who has a double major in music therapy and music education, was nominated by a committee of Wartburg PES members who are graduating seniors. The criteria included a minimum 3.5 GPA, participation in chapter activities, creative ability, and the potential for achievement in their chosen field.

Dr. Vicki Edelnant, Wartburg’s Pathways Center director and PES adviser, said Whitefield and her executive team “took the chapter to a new level this year.” 

“The executive board made an exceptional effort to prove itself as an active honor society chapter by creating inclusive, service-oriented expectations,” Whitefield said, while encouraging participation from newly inducted members and upperclassmen previously inducted.

The focus, she added, was to create “a community among all academically-driven students at Wartburg.” A point system and requirements were established to wear Phi Eta Sigma honor cords at Commencement.

Whitefield is just the second Wartburg student to ever receive the top PES distinguished member scholarship.